In a list of the top U.S. football players of all time by USA TODAY, former Cincinnati Bengals tackle Anthony Muñoz was listed among the best in NFL history.
The list was compiled as part of USA TODAY’s “250 for 250” of America’s top homegrown athletes of all time, which gives a weekly look at some of the top athletes from the United States across the sports world leading up to July 4.
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Nate Davis of USA TODAY lists Muñoz as the No. 20 U.S. football player of all time.
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“Widely regarded as the greatest offensive lineman in league history, Munoz is also the greatest Cincinnati Bengal, anchoring their first two Super Bowl appearances to cap the 1981 and ’88 seasons,” Davis wrote.
Muñoz was the only offensive lineman included in the top 30 list. A first-round pick in 1980, Muñoz was an 11-time All-Pro and Pro Bowl selection, including nine first-team All-Pro honors.
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Sep 28, 2025; Orchard Park, New York, USA; New Orleans Saints running back Alvin Kamara (41) carries the ball against the Buffalo Bills in the third quarter at Highmark Stadium.
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Cincinnati Bengals 2026 schedule | A look at the opponents
Sep 28, 2025; Orchard Park, New York, USA; New Orleans Saints running back Alvin Kamara (41) carries the ball against the Buffalo Bills in the third quarter at Highmark Stadium.
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Cincinnati Bengals 2026 schedule | A look at the opponents
Jacksonville Jaguars wide receiver Travis Hunter (12) looks to the sideline during the fourth quarter of an NFL football matchup, Sunday, Oct. 12, 2025, at EverBank Stadium in Jacksonville, Fla.
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Cincinnati Bengals 2026 schedule | A look at the opponents
Oct 20, 2025; Seattle, Washington, USA; Houston Texans defensive end Will Anderson Jr. (51) celebrates a fumble recovery in the end zone for a touchdown during the third quarter against the Seattle Seahawks at Lumen Field.
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Cincinnati Bengals 2026 schedule | A look at the opponents
Nov 2, 2025; Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA; Pittsburgh Steelers linebacker T.J. Watt (90) warms up at the start of the third quarter against the Indianapolis Colts at Acrisure Stadium.
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Cincinnati Bengals 2026 schedule | A look at the opponents
Nov 2, 2025; Landover, Maryland, USA; Washington Commanders quarterback Jayden Daniels (5) passes the ball during the second half against the Seattle Seahawks at Northwest Stadium.
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Cincinnati Bengals 2026 schedule | A look at the opponents
Nov 30, 2025; Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA; Pittsburgh Steelers defensive tackle Cameron Heyward (97) warms up for a game against the Buffalo Bills at Acrisure Stadium.
(Barry Reeger-Imagn Images)
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Cincinnati Bengals 2026 schedule | A look at the opponents
Dec 7, 2025; East Rutherford, New Jersey, USA; Miami Dolphins wide receiver Jaylen Waddle (17) reacts after making a catch for a touchdown against the New York Jets during the first half at MetLife Stadium.
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Cincinnati Bengals 2026 schedule | A look at the opponents
Dec 14, 2025; Kansas City, Missouri, USA; Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes (15) throws a pass during the second half against the Los Angeles Chargers at GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium.
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Cincinnati Bengals 2026 schedule | A look at the opponents
Cleveland Browns defensive end Myles Garrett (95) celebrates as he begins his chase for the NFL sack record after sacking Cincinnati Bengals quarterback Joe Burrow (9) during the second half of an NFL football game at Huntington Bank Field, Sept. 7, 2025, in Cleveland, Ohio.
(Jeff Lange / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images)
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Cincinnati Bengals 2026 schedule | A look at the opponents
Dec 21, 2025; Charlotte, North Carolina, USA; Carolina Panthers defensive end Derrick Brown (95) during the first half against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Bank of America Stadium.
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Cincinnati Bengals 2026 schedule | A look at the opponents
Dec 28, 2025; East Rutherford, New Jersey, USA; Tennessee Titans defensive tackle Jeffery Simmons (98) warms up prior to the game against the New Orleans Saints at MetLife Stadium.
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Cincinnati Bengals 2026 schedule | A look at the opponents
Indianapolis Colts running back Jonathan Taylor (28) rushes the ball Sunday, Dec. 28, 2025, during a game against the Jacksonville Jaguars at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis.
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Cincinnati Bengals 2026 schedule | A look at the opponents
Dec 28, 2025; Cleveland, Ohio, USA; Cleveland Browns linebacker Devin Bush (30) reacts after Pittsburgh Steelers miss a field goal in the third quarter at Huntington Bank Field.
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Cincinnati Bengals 2026 schedule | A look at the opponents
Dec 29, 2025; Atlanta, Georgia, USA; Atlanta Falcons safety Jessie Bates III (3) returns an interception for a touchdown against the Los Angeles Rams in the second quarter at Mercedes-Benz Stadium.
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Cincinnati Bengals 2026 schedule | A look at the opponents
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Cincinnati Bengals 2026 schedule | A look at the opponents
Jan 4, 2026; Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA; Baltimore Ravens running back Derrick Henry (22) rushes the ball against the Pittsburgh Steelers during the first half at Acrisure Stadium.
(Charles LeClaire-Imagn Images)
He spent 13 seasons with the Bengals (1980-1992) and was elected to the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1998.
This article originally appeared on Cincinnati Enquirer: Former Cincinnati Bengals great among NFL’s top players of all time